Oceanside CA— Investigators from the Oceanside Police Department are seeking more information from anyone knowing the identity and or location of the person or persons responsible for the homicide of an elderly man inside his home in downtown Oceanside. The family of the victim has added $5,000 dollars to the Crime Stoppers reward of $1,000.

On August 14, 2018 just before 7:00am, Oceanside Police responded to a call of a non-breathing male at 530 North Tremont Street. The victim, John Roth, a 77-year-old male, was discovered by his wife Zui (pronounced Dree) Pang when she returned home from her employment at a local nursing home. When the Oceanside Fire Department Paramedics and Officers from the Oceanside Police Department arrived, they discovered they were dealing with a homicide. Mr. Roth had sustained trauma to his upper body and was pronounce deceased at the scene.

Investigators discovered that several items had been taken from the home at the time of the homicide including jewelry, a brown jewelry box, a black ASUS computer, LG cell phone, several old and tarnished brass Chinese coins along with a purse belonging to Zui Pang. The purse was found four days later in an alley behind a residence several blocks away on N. Ditmar. The purse contained several items including photos of Mr. Roth and Zui Pang.

“We have recovered a significant amount of evidence from the crime scene including potential fingerprints and DNA all of which has been sent to the San Diego County Crime Lab in hopes of identifying a suspect,” said Oceanside Police Detective Erik Ellgard. The detective said he believes Mr. Roth was attacked while he was sleeping in his residence, a 3 story duplex on the SE corner of Surfrider and Tremont. He added they do have surveillance video from adjacent areas that will aid in their investigation. “We don’t believe this is related to any other incidents in the area.”
Detective Ellgard said Mr. Roth was well known in the community and a frequent visitor to many of the establishments in the area.
“I am thankful for the communities support and I hope somebody has some information that will help put the monster who did this in jail,” Zui Pang said through tears prior to a press conference announcing the $5,000 addition to the reward.
Anyone who may have any pertinent information regarding this incident is asked to call Detective Ellgard (760) 435-4748.